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Search for Miya Marcano continues after person of interest dies
The search for the missing 19-year-old Miya Marcano continued on Monday as authorities announced that a person of interest in her disappearance had committed suicide.
ORLANDO, Florida – Authorities in Florida continue to search for a missing student who was supposed to travel to Fort Lauderdale from Orlando but never boarded the plane.
The Orange County Sheriff’s Office said it needed the public’s help in locating 19-year-old Miya Marcano.
MPs said Marcano was last seen around 3 p.m. on Friday, September 24, at the Arden Villas apartments, located at 3303 Arden Villas Boulevard in Orlando.
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At a Monday afternoon press conference, Orange County Sheriff John Mina said Armando Manuel Caballero, 27, the person of interest in Marcano’s disappearance was found dead in a Seminole County apartment complex. Sheriff Mina said it appears he committed suicide.
“I would like to reiterate that Miya is still missing. Her disappearance is suspicious and our detectives and family members clearly suspect foul play,” Sheriff Mina said.
Caballero was a maintenance worker at the Arden Villas apartments where he had worked since June, investigators said. Sheriff Mina said Marcano lives and works in the apartment complex.
During the press conference, the sheriff said that it appears to be a situation in which Caballero may have developed a romantic interest in Marcano, but he was not interested in it.
“He had shown a romantic interest in Miya. This was repeatedly rebuffed by Miya,” Sheriff Mina said. “We now know that a maintenance-issued key fob that Caballero was in possession of was used to enter Miya’s apartment on Friday afternoon around 4:30 p.m.”
Caballero was driving a silver Ford Fusion with the Florida PZUJ17 tag. The sheriff asked for information from anyone who might have seen Caballero or his car.
“We have already recovered this vehicle but we want to know the circumstances under which someone may have seen it in this vehicle,” Mina added.
Marcano’s family were also at the press conference begging anyone with information on where she might be to come forward.
Marcano’s family have been spreading leaflets across town, desperate to find her.
They gathered over the weekend to light candles in her honor after some of them came from Fort Lauderdale to help search for her.
“All we ask is you help us bring Miya home,” her grandmother told FOX 35.
“I’m over there. I’m hitting the beat watching,” Miya’s grandfather Norman Thompson said.
“We won’t be leaving Orlando until we bring Miya home,” said Miya’s aunt Semone Westmaas.
“We miss you and we fight. We are here. We are waiting for you,” said Miya’s aunt, Pia Scarbriel Henry. “This family believes in God. We believe in hope and we have faith. As soon as you’re ready, Mia, come give us a sign and we’ll be there. You know that. I love you, Miya.”
The Orange County Sheriff’s Office said on Monday that Marcano was a student at Valencia College.
Sheriff Mina said about 30 detectives were working on the case. He mentioned that a search of Marcano’s apartment revealed some items “considered suspicious”, although he did not specify, adding that it was an ongoing investigation.
“No information is too small or too insignificant. If anyone knows something, has seen something, recognizes their face, we will take that information and you can also remain anonymous,” Sheriff Mina said.
Anyone with information can call the Sheriff’s Office non-emergency line at 407-836-4357 or 911.
Watch FOX 35 Orlando for the latest news from Central Florida.
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